-News, Info & Stories

Fun “Hello My Name Is” Dog Tags: (available from Shutterfly) It was just a few nights ago that I was filling out my “Hello My Name Is” sticker at my son’s “back to school” night. At first it seems silly to be filling out one of these and sticking it to my shirt, but they are so useful!

How else am I going to remember the names of parents that I see twice a year? Not to mention, these were probably a god-send to the poor teacher who had to mingle with 50 parents that night!

Origin of the “Hello My Name Is” Stickers

The thought occurred to me that these handy little stickers have been around for a long time, so I took to Googling them. Turns out they’ve been around since first being introduced by the “C-Line” company in 1959, and are now apparently popular with graffiti artists who use them as tags. (who knew?)

Hello My Name Is for Dogs (and cats)

While investigating the “Hello My Name Is” stickers, I also came across dog tags with the same iconic design; pretty cool! Not only are these tags highly functional (also has your phone # on the back) but also a great ice-breaker at a dog park. (Especially if you’re single!)

Tip: If you get one at shutterfly.com, definitely choose one of the marker fonts like “Andy, Felt Tip Roman, or Kidprint Bold,” for the best hand-written effect.

If you use a coupon for Shutterfly, these are only about $6 each, and are easy to add to any photo order if you don’t want to pay for shipping.

Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen) recently revealed to David Letterman about her Dachshunds role in the bullying that her brothers, Ben & Blaine, subjected her to.

She told Dave, “When I was doing the gymnastics phase, they used to pin my feet back behind my head – I can’t do this anymore – and then they would get our dachshunds and put peanut butter all over my face,” she said. “We had three dachshunds and then the dogs would go crazy licking… And then they’d shut the door, lock me in the basement with dachshunds.”

Letterman later added, “I’m going to make two calls, Jennifer. The first one will be to Amnesty International, and the second one will be to Dick Cheney. I think we have something here. It might replace water boarding, that little dachshund deal.” (Watch the interview here)

Well, it looks like she turned out OK. Speaking of The Hunger Games, I’m thinking the characters might inspire a whole new group of dog names. (Remember how Twilight made “Bella” a popular pet name?) Here are some good potential dog or cat names inspired by The Hunger Games: Katniss, Effie, Cinna, Gale, Glimmer, Primrose, Peeta, Clove, Thresh, Octavia, Flavius, Rue, Venia, & Cato. Also, I think “Caesar Flickerman,” or “President Snow,” might just work for a cat!

Native UK Dog Breeds at Risk – Well, maybe it’s not as dramatic as Noah choosing which species would survive the great flood, but it’s a trend that would certainly make Darwin lift an eyebrow.

According to recent Kennel Club statistics, Britain’s native dog breeds at now at risk in part because demand has shifted to more fashionable breeds showcased by celebrities.

25 dog breeds including the formerly popular English Setter (England’s oldest dog breed) are now considered vulnerable (extinction risk) because of low registration numbers. Registrations for English Setters have dropped by a third since last year, (only 234 registrations in 2011) while registrations for breeds like the Chihuahua have increased by a quarter.

cardigan welsh corgi puppy

This demand for celebrity dogs can also give breeds whose numbers are dwindling a boost. Consider the fact that registrations for the Cardigan Welsh Corgi (a favorite of the Royal Family) soared by over 130% after the Royal Wedding in 2011, enabling the breed to be taken off the vulnerable list. (let’s hope they are still cared for in a few years)

In a related twist, I couldn’t help but notice another headline in today’s news: Sumatran Elephants close to extinction. Maybe we could get Paris Hilton to walk an elephant down Rodeo drive, causing THEIR numbers to rebound!

Hugh Hefner & Crystal Harris Fight Over Custody of Puppy: Months after ending their engagement, Hugh Hefner and former fiancee, Crystal Harris, are still feuding over who gets to keep their puppy. Originally the dog was supposed to remain at the Playboy Mansion, but apparently Crystal is having second thoughts

Hefner told People Mag, “We both love the puppy. I told her if she wants to keep the ring and the Bentley, then maybe I can keep the puppy. I hope we will work it out.”

There's Charlie!

The dog, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Charlie, appeared on Harris’ famous “Runaway Bride” issue just after she left Hef.